And one big surprise
We all know that vegetables should form part of a healthy diet.
Many, such as broccoli, peppers, and carrots, are much better for you when
eaten raw. However, some vegetables will leave you sick in bed if you prepare
them wrong. So, what food should you always cook to keep yourself healthy?
Potatoes
Potatoes are probably the most well-known vegetables that can be
dangerous when eaten raw. They contain solanine, which can be lethal with a
large enough dose, but you would need to eat a lot of raw potatoes to get
anywhere close to a dangerous level. That said, eating uncooked potatoes can
leave you feeling sick, so it’s always best to thoroughly cook them first.
Kidney Beans
Kidney beans contain a chemical called phytohaemagglutinin, which
can cause severe nausea and vomiting even in small doses. This toxin makes up
around 1% of the uncooked bean, and as little as four or five kidney beans are
enough to cause problems. Fortunately, boiling the beans removes the toxin, but
you should always discard the water afterward to ensure you don’t eat anything
you shouldn’t.
Cassava
The high cyanide content in cassava can lead to severe nausea, low
iodine level, and, in extreme circumstances, paralysis or death. Cassava may
also contain pesticides and trace metals, as they readily absorb pollutants as
they grow. A thorough soaking and boiling will remove all of these from the
vegetable, but be sure to discard the water afterward to avoid ingesting any
dangerous chemicals.
Mushrooms
OK, they are not strictly a vegetable, but mushrooms are still one
of those foods you should always cook before use. While most mushrooms bought
from the store will only cause mild symptoms if eaten raw, cooking brings out
the majority of the nutrients and flavor. However, wild mushrooms are a
different matter altogether. Unless you are 100% sure you know what you have,
you shouldn’t eat them raw or cooked. It isn’t worth the risk.
Elderberries
Elderberries certainly have their place within a healthy diet,
although they will cause problems if you don’t cook them first. The berries
contain lectins that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea when eaten raw.
When picked from the wild, elderberries also include a derivative of cyanide
which can be dangerous in large quantities. As with other foods, boiling gets
rid of the toxins and makes them safe to eat.
While all of the foods listed can be dangerous when eaten
uncooked, there is no need to eliminate them from your diet. They are all
delicious and highly nutritious when prepared correctly, so make sure you cook
them thoroughly, then you can enjoy them any time you like.
